Packaging Development Engineer

Position Title: Packaging Development Engineer
Location: Remote (Candidates must be based in AZ, CA,
MD, IL, or GA )
Classification: Exempt (Salaried)
Work Schedules: Full-Time; Requires frequent
travel to manufacturing sites in AZ and MD .
Summary
This role is with a premier specialty contract packaging
(co-packer) and OEM food manufacturer recognized for developing custom
solutions across a vast product portfolio. Their expertise ranges from dry
goods, such as seasonings and mixes, to liquid and viscous products, including
sauces and dressings, serving a diverse customer base in retail, foodservice,
and industrial sectors.
They are seeking an experienced Packaging Development Engineer to
join their R&D team. This critical role involves the end-to-end development
and design of packaging materials for both new and existing food products.
While this position offers a remote work structure for candidates based in CA,
IL, or GA, it requires a professional comfortable with frequent travel to
production facilities in Arizona and Maryland to ensure successful scale-up,
testing, and implementation of packaging designs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited
to:

• Material
  Development:
  Develop, select, and design appropriate containers, films, and packaging
  materials for all new food products, specifically focusing on the unique
  barrier and shelf-life requirements for sauces, seasonings, and dry mixes.
• Sustainability
  Leadership:
  Propose, champion, and implement sustainable packaging solutions, such as
  paper conversion and the increased use of recycled and biodegradable
  materials.
• Vendor Liaison: Act as the
  primary technical contact, collaborating and negotiating with external
  packaging material suppliers, printing companies, and filling machine
  manufacturers.
• On-Site
  Integration:
  Travel to manufacturing sites in Arizona and Maryland to evaluate and
  confirm the suitability of packaging on mass production and filling lines;
  they will provide expert technical support to troubleshoot and resolve
  packaging-related production issues.
• Standards &
  Testing:
  Establish comprehensive packaging specifications and define quality and
  durability testing standards to ensure product integrity throughout the
  supply chain.
• Cross-Functional
  Collaboration:
  Partner closely with Marketing, Product Development, and Manufacturing
  teams to deliver optimal packaging solutions throughout the entire product
  lifecycle.
• Value Engineering: Lead efforts to
  identify and implement strategic cost-reduction measures related to
  packaging design and materials procurement.

Qualifications

• Technical Breadth: Demonstrated
  knowledge of a wide variety of packaging materials, including plastics,
  laminated films, paper containers, and bottles.
• Operational
  Insight:
  Solid understanding of packaging machinery and filling equipment,
  including the ability to conduct formal compatibility assessments on-site.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven experience
  in technical negotiations with packaging suppliers and the strategic
  purchasing of packaging materials.

Required

• Residency in
  California, Illinois, or Georgia.
• Willingness and
  ability to travel frequently (up to 40-50%) to AZ and MD facilities.
• A minimum of 3
  years of professional packaging design or material development experience
  within the food, beverage, or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industries.
• Proven track
  record of successful supplier management and negotiation.

Preferred

• Direct experience
  with packaging materials for dry goods (seasonings/mixes) and/or
  liquid/viscous products (sauces/dressings).
• Direct experience
  working within a contract packaging (co-packer) or OEM manufacturing
  environment.
• A Bachelor's
  degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
  or a related field.